Spitz: Fire destroys family's home on anniversary of father's death

The family's motto of "never surrender'' is being pushed to the limits of endurance yet again.

Julia Spitz/Daily News staff

The family's motto of "never surrender'' is being pushed to the limits of endurance yet again.

It had gotten Doug Bolanes Jr. through some tough times and became his mantra when he became a mixed martial arts fighter. It had helped the family carry on after the 22-year-old's death in 2011, and then again after Doug Bolanes Sr.'s fatal accident less than two months later.

It embodies how Joanne Bolanes and her children, Alycia and Zach, chose to honor both men with the foundation set up in Doug Jr.'s name, and how they move forward no matter what life throws their way.

In that spirit, the Bolanes were doing what they usually do on May 1.

"We went to Castle Island with the kids because that's what we do on these anniversaries,'' said longtime family friend Julie Swiderski.

The call from Framingham police about the fire came as the Bolaneses were on their way home from their trip to South Boston to mark the two-year anniversary of Doug Sr.'s death.

Firefighters battling the blaze at the Hallett Road home, the one with a hand-drawn tribute to Doug Jr.'s spirit still visible on the driveway, tried valiantly to save Big, the family's German shepherd. But while they were able to revive the dog, Big had suffered significant brain damage, Swiderski said, and had to be put down later that night.

Also lost in the fire was the family's cat, Whiskey, whom Doug Jr. had rescued a few years back.

"I do not understand how so many tragic events can happen to one family,'' said Doug Jr.'s longtime friend Mark Savard. "But the Bolaneses have always, somehow, some way, managed to persevere.'

"Doug Jr. was like a brother to me,'' said Savard. "I lived with Doug and his dog, Big, for about two years. ... After Doug Jr. passed, I built canigive.com to help raise money for his family.

"We raised a little over $5,000, which Mr. Bolanes wanted to use to give back to the community, but I urged him to use it for the unexpected out-of-pocket expenses, which he did. I (then) helped him set up the memorial fund for Doug Jr. and helped Joanne take it over when (Doug Sr.) passed away.''

The organization in Doug Jr.'s name aims to provide scholarships and opportunities for at-risk youth athletes. A fundraising event last year also benefited New Beginnings, the Framingham-based substance abuse prevention and education program that serves teens throughout the region.

An annual motorcycle run in Doug Sr.'s honor has also been held the last two years.

Now the house the father and son called home may well be a total loss.

Joanne Bolanes has been in touch with insurance adjusters, said Swiderski, but the fire left the home uninhabitable.

There is "significant structural damage,'' said Framingham Fire Marshal Joe Hicks. "The interior of the house is devastated. Most everything they have is destroyed.''

The fire has been determined to be accidental, Hicks said Thursday afternoon, and while it appears to have been electrical in nature, "the actual cause is still under investigation.''

The Bolaneses are staying with friends for now. "We just don't know longterm where they're going to be,'' said Swiderski.

They also don't know what unexpected expenses will arise as they try to pick up the pieces of their lives yet again.

Which is why a fundraising page "for the Bolanes - a family of fighters'' has been launched on the Can I Give site.

"The fund was created by a few friends and family members, using the name 'Dougout Crew,' '' said Savard. "At Can I Give Inc., we process the donations and send the beneficiary one big check when the fundraiser ends.''

The link is www.canigive.com/fundraiser/22 for the Bolaneses' page.

"You never know what's going to happen. In a split second, your life changes,'' Joanne Bolanes said in an interview after Doug Jr.'s and Sr.'s deaths. "I can either fall on the floor and not get up or I can stand up.''

Even when their motto is tested beyond the limits of endurance, surrender is not an option for Team Bolanes.

Julia Spitz can be reached at 508-626-3968 or jspitz@wickedlocal.com. Follow tweets at twitter.com/SpitzJ_MW.